1853.] REACHES THE ' RESOLUTE.' 49 



On the 31st, he had previously observed, " I feel 

 myself, in the evening, like an iron poker, only not so 

 strong," having sprained his ankle. This morning how- 

 ever another adventure occurs. He notices " a tent 

 pitched on the land, very close ; presently the inmates of 

 it saw me, and were evidently much surprised, and doubt- 

 ful as to what colours we were sailing under, kno wing- 

 that we could not be any of their own parties. The of- 

 ficer advanced to ascertain my character, and in a few 

 minutes I had the pleasure of shaking hands with Lieu- 

 tenant Pirn, of the ' Resolute.' My party coming up, we 

 received a hearty welcome from him and his people. 

 Lieutenant Pirn, I found, had been weather-bound here 

 for some days ; and well he might be, for, except before 

 the gale, it would have been impossible to travel." He 

 remained one hour, supplied himself with provisions, ob- 

 tained information as to his best route, and pushed on. 

 Lieutenant Pirn was en route to Cape Fisher, to place a 

 depot for Commander M'Clintock. The overland journey 

 was attended with difficulty. 



On the 3rd of June he discovered the ' Resolute' and 

 ' Intrepid,' and " at five A.M. on Sunday, the 5th of June, 

 I arrived on board the ' Resolute,' where my appearance 

 (alone) created no small surprise. They were not pre- 

 pared for a solitary visit from 'the Wellington Channel.' 

 The ship seemed almost deserted, two or three officers 

 only on board, and the few men I saw seemed strangers, 

 as indeed they were, being invalids from the ' Investi- 

 gator.' I received a hearty welcome, and every kindness 

 a weary traveller could wish for. Dr. Piers, of the ' In- 

 vestigator,' undertook to patch my feet up, and render me 



VOL. II. E 



